CA-SB326

California Senate Bill 326 (SB 326) – Inspection Requirements for Exterior Elevated Elements

Overview and Purpose:

California Senate Bill 326 (SB 326), enacted in 2019, was created to protect residents by ensuring the safety and structural integrity of balconies, decks, and other exterior elevated elements (EEEs) in multifamily residential condominium buildings. The legislation was introduced in response to the 2015 balcony collapse in Berkeley, California, which tragically claimed the lives of six individuals.

SB 326 focuses on the proactive inspection of EEEs, including wood-framed balconies, decks, walkways, stair landings, and similar structures that extend beyond a building’s exterior walls and are more than six feet above the ground. The purpose of this inspection is to identify rot or water intrusion, compromised or missing waterproofing membranes, rust, corrosion, or decay in load-bearing components, and any structural deficiencies that could pose a risk to occupant safety

The first inspection must be completed by January 1, 2025, with follow-up inspections occurring at least once every nine years thereafter. We proudly serve the greater San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose, Sacramento, and the Greater Los Angeles Area. Whether you're a property owner or manager, we provide comprehensive CA-SB721 Inspections to help maintain compliance and safety.

CA-SB326 (California Senate Bill 326) is legislation focused on improving the safety of exterior elevated elements in residential condominium buildings across California. These elements include balconies, decks, stairs, and walkway systems, and other structural components that are more than six feet above ground level. The law aims to prevent structural failures caused by rot, deterioration, or inadequate waterproofing.
SB 326 requires that all multi-family residential buildings with three or more units undergo periodic structural inspections of their balconies, decks, stairs, and walkways—all of which fall under the category of exterior elevated elements. These inspections are designed to detect early signs of deterioration, water intrusion, or rot that can compromise safety. Proper waterproofing systems must also be evaluated to ensure the longevity of these structures.
The responsibility lies with the building owners, HOAs, or property management teams. They must ensure that inspections of all relevant balconies, decks, stairs, and walkway systems are conducted by a licensed structural engineer or architect. These inspections must address not only the structural framing but also the condition of the waterproofing that protects against rot and deterioration.
The initial inspection of all exterior elevated elements must be completed by January 1, 2025. After that, inspections are required every nine years. These inspections are crucial for identifying and addressing any waterproofing failures, rot, or other forms of deterioration in balconies, decks, and walkways before they pose safety hazards.
More critically, non-compliance could mean undetected rot, deterioration, or failed waterproofing in decks, balconies, or stair and walkway systems—putting residents at risk. Unsafe conditions identified during inspections must be addressed immediately to maintain the structural safety of these exterior elevated elements.
Local building departments and code enforcement agencies will monitor compliance. They will verify that inspections are completed on time and that any rot, deterioration, or waterproofing issues found in balconies, decks, or stair and walkway systems are properly repaired. Citations or legal actions may be issued for buildings that fail to meet inspection or repair requirements.